How to safely restore discoloured LEGO®

Displaying your LEGO® sets, minifigures and your creations can be a chore at the best of times - It's too big for the shelf, it doesn't sit on the wonky mantlepiece or there is just no no more room to put them anywhere. We have all been there at some point. However, amongst all the above placement of LEGO® builds can be episcally cumbersome if they are in view of direct sunlight.

Unfortunately LEGO® is made from ABS plastic which when exposed to prolonged UV light, heat, and oxidation, LEGO® begins the process of turning yellow and discoloured. This commonly occurs mostly in lighter shades of your LEGO® and of course in most prominent in white LEGO® bricks, parts and plates.

There are two crucial elements that will almost reverse most if not all of the yellowing, giving you back the the original vibrant colour of your LEGO®. I will explain our process on how we safely remove yellowing from LEGO®.

All you need these items below;

  • Hydrogen peroxide (We use a 12% food grade as this gives the best results.)
  • Plastic container for putting the LEGO® in
  • Direct Sunlight
  • Disposable Gloves

Steps

Firstly place all of your discoloured LEGO® into the container. do not overfill the container as you need all the pieces to be fully submerged. Add the required amount of Hydrogen peroxide so that all pieces are full coated. 

Please remember to wear gloves at all times. Hydrogen peroxide is extremely corrosive and will burn, irritate and even scar when exposed to skin.

The best practice is choosing a day where you know there is going to be direct sunlight for the majority of the day. Set your container in a place where it cannot be reached by children and is also in constant sunlight. The longer it is left the better the results. We would suggest leaving this all day so start the process in the morning and then leave until the evening, or whenever the sun has set. Check occasionally to make sure all pieces are still submerged, gently stir if required.

After this process your discoloured LEGO® should be looking like it did how you got it out the box all that time ago. If this is not the case you may need to repeat the process again if the discolouring was extreme.

Rinse in cold clean water until all of the hydrogen peroxide has been removed. Leave to air dry on towel or some paper kitchen towels/rolls.

Enjoy your newly clean, vibrant LEGO® pieces, and just remember to keep your LEGO® sets away from direct UV's this time ;)

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